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POLITICO's must-read briefing informing the daily conversation among knowledgeable New Yorkers | | | | |  | | By Nick Reisman, Jeff Coltin, Emily Ngo and Hajah Bah | |  Senate lawmakers who would lead confirmation hearings of Kathy Hochul’s top appointments want the chance to question nominees. | Darren McGee/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul |
Imagine getting the responsibilities of a big job, but never having to go through the interview process.
People have been in an acting capacity for jobs in Gov. Kathy Hochul’s administration for months and have yet to go through the Democratic-led Senate’s confirmation process. They include:
- Acting State Police Superintendent Steven Nigrelli
- Acting Department of Corrections and Community Supervision commissioner Daniel Martuscello
- Acting Children and Family Services commissioner Suzanne Miles-Gustave
- Acting Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance commissioner Barbara Guinn
Nigrelli has been serving in an acting capacity the longest, leading the State Police since last October without Senate confirmation. Martuscello has been in charge of the state’s prison system since June after Anthony Annucci, who had held an “acting” commissioner title for nearly a decade, announced his retirement. Annucci remained an acting commissioner because he would have taken a statutory pay cut if he was confirmed. Hochul formally nominated Annucci, a Cuomo administration holdover, in 2022. His confirmation was opposed by Senate Democrats and died in committee. Senate lawmakers who would lead confirmation hearings of Hochul’s top appointments want the chance to question nominees who could have broad influence over public policy. “Regardless of what the reason is, we’re saying it’s really not acceptable to let someone clam up and remain acting for a long time,” Sen. Julia Salazar, a Brooklyn Democrat, told Playbook. “My hope and expectation is that in the new session, it will be a priority for the governor to send the nomination.” Hochul spokesperson Avi Small responded: “Governor Hochul will continue ensuring all members of her cabinet are selected in accordance with the laws governing appointments.” Confirmations in the Legislature have become notably more contentious in recent years. The Senate this year rejected Hector LaSalle, Hochul’s first nominee to lead the state Court of Appeals. Hochul’s pick to lead the New York Power Authority was opposed by the Senate, but the governor was able to circumvent confirmation using a little-known law for state authorities, Playbook reported this month. Hearings over the direction of New York’s prison policy or State Police are expected to be closely watched should those nominations go forward given the focus by progressives on criminal justice policy. Still, some high-profile nominations were able to sail through this past session, including Health Commissioner James McDonald. “There’s certainly been some controversial confirmation battles, but there were others that were easy as pie,” said Bronx Sen. Gustavo Rivera. “There are good people who can be nominated.” HAPPY FRIDAY. You’ve made it to the weekend. Got news? Send it our way: Jeff Coltin, Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman. WHERE’S KATHY? Making a child care announcement on Long Island. WHERE’S ERIC? Calling into the Caribbean Power Jam’s “The Reset Show,” and later meeting with Dr. Mohammad Monirul Islam, consul general of Bangladesh. QUOTE OF THE DAY: "My name is Jumaane Williams and I am in the still-existing office of public advocate." — Williams, testifying before members of the City Council including Robert Holden, who’s reintroducing legislation to abolish the office. (h/t Annie McDonough)
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Rudy Giuliani and others were indicted Monday, accused of conspiring to overturn the 2020 election. | Tom Williams/AP Photo | RUDY AND RICO: It’s hard to overstate how thoroughly Rudy Giuliani parlayed his experience as a U.S. attorney into a political career that peaked when he became “America’s mayor.” At the heart of his success? An innovative legal strategy employing the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, or RICO. It now threatens to be his undoing, POLITICO reports. Giuliani, former President Donald Trump and 17 others were indicted Monday by the Fulton County, Georgia, district attorney, who accuses them of conspiring to overturn the 2020 election. One political observer watching Giuliani’s rise and fall has been former Mayor Bill de Blasio. “That same creativity and entrepreneurship led him down a very dangerous path, which was the perp walks and the marrying of his job with his self-obsession and political ambition,” de Blasio said, calling the indictment “more than Shakespearean.” — Joe Anuta | | WHAT CITY HALL IS READING | | | 
Eric Adams’ spokesperson wouldn’t confirm whether Adams plans to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. | Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images | Mr. Adams goes to Jerusalem: And Tel Aviv… Adams is heading to the Holy Land for his first time as mayor, in a trip paid for by the UJA-Federation of NY and the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York. He’s flying out Sunday and will be back Thursday. Adams’ spokesperson Fabien Levy, who’s joining the mayor on the tour, wouldn’t confirm whether Adams plans to meet with the conservative Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who’s been the subject of massive protests for his attempts to weaken the judiciary. But a Jewish political consultant told Playbook he expects it. “He would be insane if he didn’t meet with Netanyahu,” the person said. “It’s a no-brainer. (Adams) doesn’t care about representing the Jews. He cares about representing the Orthodox Jews,” most of whom are supportive of Netanyahu. — Jeff Coltin More from the city: — Adams’ administration is seeking permission to house migrants in the now-shuttered federal jail in lower Manhattan where Jeffrey Epstein died (NYDN) — Hundreds of protesters gathered in Queens on Wednesday against emergency migrant shelters. (Gothamist) — A candidate who previously wrote about her opposition to Roe. v. Wade was just tapped by the Brooklyn Democratic Party for a judgeship (The City) | | WHAT ALBANY'S READING | |
PETA TAKES ON SARATOGA: PETA on Thursday called on the state to shut down the Saratoga Race Course after it has had 11 horse deaths since May.
The New York Racing Association countered that the 11 deaths are a mere fraction of the activity at the historic racetrack since horses arrived in April: Five horses died during racing, while 99.7 percent have competed safely; four of the deaths were during training, which was 0.1 percent of the total workouts; and two died during non racing/exercise activities. “The health and safety of horses and jockeys competing at NYRA tracks is our highest priority and one that stands above all other considerations,” said NYRA spokesperson Pat McKenna. “That is reflected in a comprehensive safety strategy informed by the most advanced science and research in consultation with independent experts, veterinarians and horsemen.” The track had 15 deaths in each of the two previous years, records show, and NYRA said since 2011, fatal injuries have been reduced nearly 50 percent in the state.. The meet runs through Labor Day. "Eleven horses have died at Saratoga Race Course since late May, and the bloodbath must be stopped now,” Kathy Guillermo, a senior vice president at PETA, said in a statement. The safety of horse racing has drawn increased scrutiny in recent years. Horse-rights activists have pressed for the state to end sharing revenue from video-lottery terminals at racetracks with the industry. But efforts to do so stalled, and instead the state budget this year included a $455 million loan for NYRA to renovate Belmont Park on Long Island. And how is Saratoga doing this year? Paid attendance through the first 25 days is up 3.4 percent compared to last year, despite the rainy summer, NYRA said. — Joseph Spector More from Albany: — Andrew Cuomo’s legal team issued a subpoena to ex-state Sen. Alessandra Biaggi as part of his defense in a lawsuit filed against him by a State Police investigator. (Times Union) — Lawyers for the state argued New York farmers will be harmed if a pause on licenses for cannabis businesses remains in effect. (Newsday) — Republican lawmakers want to let judges who have pistol permits be able to carry firearms while in court. (Spectrum News) | | FROM THE DELEGATION | |
FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — Fresh off a trip to Israel organized by a group affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Rep. Dan Goldman said he’s “had numerous discussions about AIPAC about their need to pivot from just focusing solely on Israel and focusing more on democracy, including who they support and endorse here.” (WATCH)
The Democrat was responding to progressive advocates with IfNotNow and Jewish Voice for Peace Action who came to his mobile office hours in Washington Square Park to ask him to refuse any support from AIPAC, due to its support for right wing Republicans. AIPAC didn’t respond to a request for comment. Goldman wasn’t endorsed in 2022, though an affiliated super PAC spent against primary opponent Yuh-Line Niou. Goldman also said, in part, that he’s “a pro-Israel Jew” and “object(s) to the settlements.” — Jeff Coltin
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— The Westchester County District Attorney’s office is investigating James O’Keefe, the founder of right-wing nonprofit Project Veritas famous for its undercover videos (The Nation)
— Envy Nails was hit with a $300,000 fine for unpaid wages for more than hundred workers across the Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens. (Brooklyn Daily Eagle) — Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse could be part of a so-called “semiconductor highway” in a bid to become a tech hub. (Buffalo News)
| | SOCIAL DATA BY DANIEL LIPPMAN | |
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: former Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, now of Warburg Pincus … Bob Woodruff … Austan Goolsbee … Jason Furman … WSJ’s Sadie Gurman … CNN’s Simone Pathe … NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol … Lincoln Foran … Emily D’Antonio … (was Thursday): Jordan Levy
WHAT WALL STREET IS READING — “Democratic Opposition Researcher, a Former ‘60 Minutes’ Producer, Masquerades as Journalist While Digging Dirt on Pennsylvania’s David McCormick,” by The Washington Free-Beacon’s Eliana Johnson MAKING MOVES — Lee Zeldin is now chair of America First Policy Institute’s Pathway to 2025 initiative. He previously was a Republican representative for New York. … Jeremy Wiggins is now a VP at Blackstone. He most recently was a portfolio analyst in the office of the president at the World Bank and is a Trump National Economic Council alum. … Angela Petros is now global chief marketing officer at Baker McKenzie. She most recently was CMO at Morrison & Foerster. ... Brendan Kelly is now director for China economics at the National Security Council. He most recently was deputy head of international relations and country risk at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. WEEKEND WEDDING — Margaret Talev, director of Syracuse University’s Institute for Democracy, Journalism & Citizenship in D.C. and a senior contributor for Axios, and Jon Garcia, White House coordinating producer for ABC News, recently got married at at Esperanza resort in Los Cabos, Mexico, at the Sea of Cortez. The couple met covering the Obama White House; his assigned seat on Air Force One was directly behind Margaret’s. Pic by Jay Newton-Small … Another pic by Shawna Thomas
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FDNY fans cheer at the Battle of the Badges baseball game at Citi Field on Aug. 17, 2023. | Jeff Coltin/ POLITICO | SPORTS REPORT — The FDNY beat the NYPD in the annual Battle of the Badges baseball game last night, 7-4. There were no fights between the Bravest and the Finest at Citi Field, even after the Police Department pitcher hit the first batter of the game. FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh and NYPD Commissioner Eddie Caban were both on hand. “While we may be rivals on the field, we remain dedicated partners in keeping New Yorkers safe,” Kavanagh told Playbook after the game. Pics … More pics | | Real Estate | |
— NYC officials announced plans to convert some Midtown offices into housing on Thursday. (New York Times)
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